Geolocation via Power Fingerprinting Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location-based services face challenges in achieving accurate geolocation of mobile devices within cellular communication networks, particularly in indoor environments, due to limitations in signal measurement accuracy and the reliance on GPS, which is ineffective indoors and drains device batteries quickly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize pathloss data and measurement data from multiple sectors within a cellular network to generate maps for determining the geolocation of mobile devices, combining reception power measurements and characteristics to improve location accuracy, especially in indoor environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used for location determination, then location information can be obtained, but it drains device battery quickly and is ineffective indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network-based measurement intermediaries (base stations, access points) that perform signal measurements and location calculations on the network side rather than requiring the mobile device to use GPS. The network infrastructure acts as an intermediary that determines location using cellular signal measurements, thereby eliminating the need for power-intensive GPS operations while maintaining indoor effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a network-based cellular signal measurement system. Instead of relying on satellite signals and device-based GPS receivers, the system uses cellular network infrastructure (base stations, access points) to perform measurements and calculations, substituting one positioning mechanism with another that is more energy-efficient and indoor-effective.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional network-based location methods are used, then device power consumption is reduced, but geolocation accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination process into multiple independent measurement components: pathloss measurements, signal strength measurements, timing measurements, and angle measurements. Each component is measured separately by network elements and then combined through a fusion algorithm to achieve high accuracy. This segmentation allows comprehensive use of available network resources without overburdening the mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple measurement techniques (pathloss, signal strength, timing, angle) and multiple network element observations (multiple base stations and access points) into a unified location estimation framework. By combining these diverse measurement sources through statistical fusion and optimization algorithms, the system achieves accuracy comparable to or exceeding GPS while maintaining low device power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If signal measurements are performed to improve location accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the network infrastructure automatically performs measurements, calculations, and location determination without requiring complex device-side processing. The mobile device simply provides minimal input data, while the network elements (base stations, access points, location server) autonomously perform the complex measurement fusion and calculation tasks, effectively offloading system complexity from the device to the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a location server and network-based measurement intermediaries that act as mediators between the mobile device and the location determination process. These intermediaries handle the complexity of multi-parameter measurement fusion, coordinate transformations, and algorithmic processing, shielding the mobile device from complexity while achieving high measurement precision through sophisticated network-side processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for deriving geolocation of a mobile device within a coverage area of a cellular communication network includes receiving pathloss data and measurement data associated with a plurality of individual sectors within a plurality of individual cells of the cellular communication network. Each of the plurality of individual sectors includes a plurality of geographic bins. Reception power measurements are determined for each of the plurality of geographic bins. A plurality of maps is generated for each of the plurality of individual sectors based on at least one characteristic included in the received pathloss data or measurement data or based on the determined one or more reception power measurements. Geolocation of the mobile device is determined based on the generated plurality of maps.